A virtual service where Rev. Protzman, Hal Walker, Christie Anderson and others will join in the telling of “Earth Stories” — true stories from each of our unique experiences of living on the Earth. Through music and story telling let us celebrate Earth Day 2020.

A virtual Easter service led by Rev. Steven Protzman, Colleen Thoele, and Hal Walker

Rev. Sarah York says: “Roll the stone away from in front of your hearts.” She invites us to realize that parts of ourselves may be shut away, especially in this time of fear and anxiety. As we celebrate Easter with its many meanings and its promise that life ultimately triumphs over death, let us be open to Easter’s invitation to open our hearts and live more fully.

A virtual service at 10 AM led by Rev. Steven Protzman and Worship Associate Heidi Emhoff Wood.

Bill Gates recently wrote a reflection on what the coronavirus is teaching us about life and the need to reprioritize. In this time when we are so aware of life’s fragility and the truth that life is a precious gift, what really matters? We’ll reflect together on what this time is teaching us about living and life’s invitation to consider making some radical changes in our priorities for a more just, more loving world.

A virtual service led by Rev. Steven Protzman and Worship Associate Camille Pavlicek-Fauser

In this difficult time where we are physically distanced from one another and we need to stay home to help lessen the spread of the coronavirus, how do we care for one another and stay connected? What lessons can we learn from this time that help us provide a safe haven for each other? Using a folk tale from Africa, we will reflect on the gifts of compassion, patience, and kindness that can help us through challenging times.

During this time of social
distancing, would you like more time for informal conversation with church
members? Times when you can get more
variety in your day by talking to someone other than your roommates or yourself… Get to know more about those folks at church
you may only know vaguely… Get ideas for daily living… Help build community
at church.

You can do so by dropping
into our two weekly scheduled zoom calls for social connection. There is no
need to sign up in advance, just join calls if you want to participate. Each session will be an hour long (Tuesdays
11:30AM – 12:30PM; Thursday evenings 7 – 8PM), and the conversation will focus
on a specific theme. The sessions will be lightly moderated just to make sure
that by the end of the call everyone who wants to do so has a chance to chime
in. Below is the schedule for the first
few sessions and links to the Tuesday and Thursday zoom sessions.

Questions? Suggestions for future topics? Contact Kathy Kerns.

Thursday March 26, 7 – 8PM. Topic: Meet the UU Church Pets! Let’s meet the important members of our households who do not participate on Sunday mornings. Come share about your pet and/or meet the pets of other members.

Tuesday March 31, 11:30AM – 12:30PM. Topic: Making meaning in daily life. What are some things you’ve done in the last two weeks that were especially meaningful or important for you, or that helped you get through this time of social separation?

Thursday April 2, 7 – 8PM. Topic: Nature. Where is a place you like to go in nature, and why is that place special to you? Or, would you like to share a specific time you were in nature, where you were and what happened?

Tuesday April 7, 11:30AM -12:30PM. Topic: Keeping ourselves fed (and enjoying it). Have you changed your approach to eating the last few weeks? How have the changes been for you? Or maybe you would like to crowd source ideas for family meals!

Thursday April 9, 7 – 8PM. Topic: Hobbies. Share with us your hobbies, and find out who else at church has interests similar to yours.

Tuesday April 14, 11:30AM – 12:30PM. Topic: Share your creative/artistic side! Do you have creative or artistic things you’ve been working on or doing that you want to share with us? Do you want suggestions for future projects? Do you have something we could all do together during the call?

The song “Rising Green” reminds us that the energy of the earth flows through us as well as through all of life and with it is the promise of a new day full of possibilities. We will gather as a community of all ages to welcome the return of spring and celebrate the Spring equinox with stories, songs, and rituals that invite us to join in the renewal of life.

On
behalf of the Board of Trustees, I’m pleased to announce that we have
voted to approve the start of construction of the Fellowship Hall. We
are able to move forward with the contract immediately due to a generous
bequest from Olive Hobbs, a beloved and long-time member of our church.
I wish to also extend my gratitude to everyone who has contributed to
the capital campaign fund and the planning committees around the
building expansion over the years for your commitment and faith in our
congregation. With everyone’s generous support, we are able to begin fulfilling our vision.